State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

snow on ice

  • The Story of Lake Gus

    The Story of Lake Gus

    For this early part of the season the goal is to tease apart a record of historic precipitation and temperature for this region using isotopes from leaf waxes collected in the lake sediments.

  • Scientists Are Superheroes With Super Powers

    Scientists Are Superheroes With Super Powers

    Superheroes are identified by their unique powers and skills, allowing them to see and act in ways that inspire awe in the rest of us. Do scientists have superhero powers?

  • An Icy Irony in Greenland

    An Icy Irony in Greenland

    We awoke to messages that a towering iceberg is threatening the local waterfront settlement of Innaarsuit. There is perhaps a bit of irony in the fact that a massive looming block of ice is a potential threat to the start of our field season.

  • Exploring Greenland With Wings, Boats and Drones

    Exploring Greenland With Wings, Boats and Drones

    Snow on Ice is launching into the field with two teams of scientists this summer. The first group, an ‘advance team’ of six women, will focus on lakes where meltwater has collected on the southwestern flank of Greenland bedrock.

  • Will Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Cause More ‘Snow on Ice’ in Greenland?

    Will Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Cause More ‘Snow on Ice’ in Greenland?

    Scientists are collecting lake sediment, rock, water and plant samples to tease apart linkages between Arctic sea ice, atmospheric uptake, and changes in snowfall on the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • The Story of Lake Gus

    The Story of Lake Gus

    For this early part of the season the goal is to tease apart a record of historic precipitation and temperature for this region using isotopes from leaf waxes collected in the lake sediments.

  • Scientists Are Superheroes With Super Powers

    Scientists Are Superheroes With Super Powers

    Superheroes are identified by their unique powers and skills, allowing them to see and act in ways that inspire awe in the rest of us. Do scientists have superhero powers?

  • An Icy Irony in Greenland

    An Icy Irony in Greenland

    We awoke to messages that a towering iceberg is threatening the local waterfront settlement of Innaarsuit. There is perhaps a bit of irony in the fact that a massive looming block of ice is a potential threat to the start of our field season.

  • Exploring Greenland With Wings, Boats and Drones

    Exploring Greenland With Wings, Boats and Drones

    Snow on Ice is launching into the field with two teams of scientists this summer. The first group, an ‘advance team’ of six women, will focus on lakes where meltwater has collected on the southwestern flank of Greenland bedrock.

  • Will Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Cause More ‘Snow on Ice’ in Greenland?

    Will Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Cause More ‘Snow on Ice’ in Greenland?

    Scientists are collecting lake sediment, rock, water and plant samples to tease apart linkages between Arctic sea ice, atmospheric uptake, and changes in snowfall on the Greenland Ice Sheet.